You have a better one that invites 12 (or even 10) teams, & keeps games to 4 or less, & can be done in 6 days?
Yes - just make it a single elimination tournament where the top four seeds get a first round bye.
I hear you. Completely valid. But let's say Clemson loses to Louisville... it's possible them getting an extra game (to win) while meaningless in either GT or Clemson advancing in this tournament... it could help Clemson get into big tournament.
Correct. Will be interesting if Louisville wins... how rotation in managed for the tournament. "Mid-week" type game Wed? Save Hurter for Thurs when it matters.
That would be the smart way to play it.
Exactly what I'd do. I'd start Smith and then use guys like Medich, Chapman, Westbrooks, and Brown.
... & would you flip that plan if Clemson wins? Hurter on Wed night?
Yep, then I would have Archer and Grissom for the weekend.
Think that'll be the approach for all the game 1's? Save your ace for the game against your pod's top seed?I'd throw the second best pitcher (Shawn Rapp who pitched on Friday or staff day) against Pitt who is a free fall just to pitch Love against NC State. I think that maximizes UNCs chance to get to Saturday because after Love they don't have a lot as we saw (two of their weekend starters got hurt this year or UNC would have won a lot more games IMHO). UNC is at 18-18 in the ACC and they'll go to the NCAAs if they win a game. Love against Pitt is more likely to do that but Love against NC State has more upside.
Pitt also should save their best pitcher for NC State to maximize their chances to advance in the ACC if that is their priority. If they just want to go 1-1 and pray to get to the NCAAs as a priority on a prayer (Pitt is currently 16-17), then pitch their best against UNC. Pitt is in trouble for the NCAAs.
What would we do if it was uGag?
I agree that I like this format better than previous versions. It lets 12/14 make the real tournament (not a play-in game that's over before it even starts) so that if you need the automatic bid you can make a run for it. It keeps you from having a disaster of a week by going 0-3 (like you could in the old 4 team pods), and most importantly, it keeps you from destroying your pitching staff, especially if rain and delays start to be a factor. Many remember the 2003 tourney where we had to win THREE games on Sunday to win the tournament. Felt great, but our pitching was so worn out that the NCAA Tourney was a quick exit right after that.
I would be very hesitant to throw Hurter twice this week. The next week is what is most important and he needs to be fresh for that, especially if you get into a situation where he pitches Friday and then want him for a few innings in a Game 7 on Monday.
Just need someone to step up like Heddinger did in 2013 vs Vandy. Nothing left in baseball after this for many of these kids, so let it all loose! Not sure who that may be, but need someone.
Well, following snidleys #butthurt theme, I will complain the we have to play the late game on Wed and then come back & play mid day the next day. Absolutely no reason for that (although I guess it’s not much different than a regular Sat/Sun game. But no good reason (except for the ole Tobacco Road middle finger) since Pitt vs NCST has Pitt who hasn’t played since tuesday night and NCST who is playing their first game in the late game on Thursday. No reason they could t play the 1pm game.
